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Category Archives: Worship Him only!
Be Thankful
“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”
Psalms 105:1-2 NIV
His Never-Ending Grace
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”HEBREWS 4:16 AMP
“but Christ is faithful as a Son over His [Father’s] house. And we are His house if we hold fast our confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ].” HEBREWS 3:6 AMP
“O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness surrounds You [as an intrinsic, unchangeable part of Your very being].” PSALMS 89:8 AMP
Lord,
I enjoy meditating on Your Word day and night. The more I reflect on Truth, the closer I am to You, my ABBA Father.
Your never-ending grace, morning mercies, and presence are palpable in time of distress.
The closer I am to You, Lord, the more confident and hopeful I am about the future. You are my only Refuge and Hope until my last breath on earth.
You are a faithful God.
In Jesus’ name I praise,
Amen.
Photo Courtesy: Matthew Hamilton at UnSplash
The Bible Reading Journal Series: Color Coding System
Every time I read my Bible, I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me thru the journaling experience including highlighting, meditating and journaling the selected Scriptures.
“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.” Psalm 119:18 NASB
I pray over the following Scriptures when journaling and highlighting:
But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:28 NASB
“Lord, what are the practical ways I can step out in obedience?”
As I read His Word, I truly delight on all of His precepts and promises. When His Holy Spirit convicts me of His commands, then I highlight the verses in BLUE.
“But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28 NASB
“Lord, show me any unconfessed sin(s) in my life.”
When the Holy Spirit convicts me of any sin(s), then I highlight the verse in BROWN.
I also acknowledge sinful nature in the Bible.
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 NASB
“Lord, help me forgive myself and/or others today.”
When the Holy Spirit convicts me, then I highlight the verse in PURPLE.
“O Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8 NASB.
“Lord, show me your everyday miracles. Open my eyes, heart and help me count my blessings. I want to maintain a heart filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.”
When the Holy Spirit convicts me of His character, then I highlight the verse in RED for His never-ending compassion, unfailing love, and morning mercies.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NASB.
“Lord, I am surrendering my life to You, and praying over selected Scriptures.”
When the Holy Spirit convicts me, I highlight the verse in GREEN.
To view YouTube video clip; click below:
Intimacy with the Lord
Closeness with our Lord = Quiet Time + His Word + Self-Examination + fervent Prayer.
Let us explore the daily process for the Bible Reading Journal today.
It typically takes me approximately 30 minutes to read a chapter a day and journal. It may seem a long time but our time with the Lord is priceless and memorable!
Once we read the chapter, we highlight and inscribe a selected verse or two in different translations. When I inscribe His Word, I am able to memorize it a lot easier. I then journal ‘how’ I am going to step out in obedience in practical ways.
Later I examine my heart daily so I may repent and forgive, count my blessings and maintain a prayerful lifestyle.
Cross-References allow me to dig deeper into God’s Word and Commentaries enrich my “journaling” experience.
“…but God was working in every detail. He was providing, humbling, sanctifying, forgiving, and drawing their hearts to His in the most necessary and beautiful ways.“
Whitney from Love God Greatly Ministries.
“When I read my journals, I see God’s fingerprints all over. Journals are my stones of remembrance (Joshua 4:23-24)“ Adriana Morales-Spokane.
Join our FB Community for women at “The Bible Reading Journal Series”
Next Video Clip: The Bible Reading Journal Series: Verse Color Coding.
Examine the Heart!
Let us Examine our Hearts.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”
Ephesians 4:31 NLT
“But now you also put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.”
Colossians 3:8, 19 NASB
“that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,”
Ephesians 4:22 NASB
“Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,” 1 Peter 2:1 NASB
Memorial Stones
Memorial Stones
“Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.”
For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the LORD your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4:6-7, 23-24 NASB
Journaling is a way to reflect on God’s Faithfulness.
All of my journals are priceless keepsakes and much more like memorial stones that last forever.
I get to look back to where I was and see how God has transformed my life over the course of time.
He is good all the time.
His Word renews my mind every day, strengthens my heart in moments of distress and has transformed my life over the past decade alone!
Crossing-Over
Crossing-Over: Journaling God’s Faithfulness.
“Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5 NASB
There are miracles taking place in our ordinary lives every day.
We just need to stop, breathe, reflect and journal. The Lord will do the rest!
He is Able.
Today’s video clip is here:
Enjoy The Process!
“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the Heaven…He has made everything beautiful in its time…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 5 NIV
There will always be a season for a “fresh start” whether it is a new career, a church community, a job, a friendship or even a ministry. I delight in the freshness of ‘new beginnings’. When we embark on a new path, it is normal for us to expect favorable outcomes right away. In a world of instant gratification, I like for circumstances to unfold quickly in my favor or be resolved immediately.
When I was in High School, I wanted to finish the academic coursework in three years… When I was a young adult, I wanted to marry and move out of the house… When I was in college, I wanted to graduate in less than four years! I tend to rush. I sure do. As I got older, I soon realized there are no shortcuts or healthy quick fixes in life.
Time is of the essence! Be still and know He is in control of our lives. (Psalm 46:10) Let us sit back, relax and be present in the moment.
We may need additional time to select a new career path. It takes a while to get settled in a new community. There is usually a learning curve to master and be proficient at new tasks. In relationships, we need time to learn one another and build trust. If we are serving in ministry, we may need to wait for direction, wisdom, and understanding.
God’s timetable is different than ours! His ways are higher than ours. His timing and plans are perfect. Let us be open-minded and flexible in the midst of our wait. It may take longer than expected!
If we want to be fruitful in life, let us break down our goals, and zero into specific action steps. Just know, God is orchestrating all of our circumstances and He does not miss a beat! Over the course of time, suitable conditions will flourish. God makes everything beautiful in His time. He is in charge of the Harvest.
The more I wait and persevere, the more I trust His plan. In my last wait, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the following;
Let us honor our new beginnings and trust His timing. Do not rush or grow weary. “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” Acts 27:25 NIV
Let us take a leap of Faith and take the next step without anxiety or distress. Do not be afraid. “But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!…” Matthew 14:27 NIV
In Christ, we have His wisdom to face challenges along the way. Do not doubt yourself. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Do not be distracted by external circumstances “…And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Lord, help us be in your presence so we may experience serenity in the midst of our wait.“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NIV
In Jesus’ name, I boldly praise and pray.
Amen
Photo courtesy: Danielle MacInnes @ UnSplash
Be Well-Rested!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Lord,
I am lifting up all of my burdens and hardships to You at this moment.
Help me find rest for my soul so I may be ready for tomorrow’s battlefield.
At times, I am quite overwhelmed with simple tasks, intricate relationships at work or at home with my loved ones.
It is an ongoing struggle, Lord!
In You alone, I find my rest. I want to be mindful of regular breaks throughout the day so I may rest in Your Word always.
The most important event of my day is to focus on You, Lord. I want to focus on You day and night.
Yes, Lord, I will always need your wisdom and inner strength even when I am feeling brave or confident about troubling circumstances.
Help me not to be weary or burdened.
One of my biggest challenges is to forgive those who have hurt me in the past… You want me to forgive immediately (Colossians 3:13 NIV) just the way You have forgiven me. Not once or twice, but seventy times seven! Lord, this is a true challenge when I am still hurting. Help me forgive everyone and help me be discerning as I move forward in relationships.
Help me be hopeful always, and restore all distant relationships.
Our Lord is the Prince of Peace and does not want for my heart to be troubled (John 14:27 NIV). He is always with me wherever I go (Psalm 118:6 NIV).
Praising Jesus for His Faithfulness, peace, forgiveness and compassion.
Lord, give me wisdom and discernment to do good so I may not only forgive but bless others at all times.
Strengthen my heart. Renew my mind. Refresh my soul.
I need to fight “the good fight” and do all the work you have prepared me to do.
I want to be well-rested so I may be courageous and Brave in all I do in Christ.
In Jesus’ name I boldly praise and pray,
Your beloved daughter,
Amen.
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If you would like to journal as you rest on God’s Word, check out the selected Scriptures in the “Bible Reading Journal: Rest and Be Refreshed.”
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1794685421/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_api_i_H9LuCbD7CVR03 #Amazon
Journaling a Bible verse or two! 